How to Endure False Accusations

by Annie Yorty ©2022

This month, we are looking at how Jesus persevered with His plan through betrayal, false accusations, and loneliness. Talk about a toxic environment! During Jesus’ last days on earth, flaming arrows of accusation assailed Him from every direction. There’s so much we can learn from Jesus’ attitudes and actions about how to endure false accusations.

False Accusations against Jesus

It all seems so ludicrous to us now. How could anyone believe that Jesus, God Himself, could possibly be guilty of blaspheming God? Isn’t it obvious that Jesus would never disrespect His own name or that of His Father? Yet that false charge stuck to Jesus, leading to His humiliating execution on a rough wooden cross.

Before we get to feeling too self-righteous, let’s remember that the Bible says we were God’s enemies before He saved us. If we had been in the crowd gathered at Jesus’ trial, our cries would have risen with the demand of the rebels. “Crucify Him!”

For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son (Romans 5:10 NLT).

Since not much is new under the sun, Satan still tempts humans to falsely accuse today. Sooner or later the lies and accusations will come our way.  

But we can study the gospels to discover how to endure false accusations from the gracious example of Christ.

How Jesus Endured False Accusations

1. Fear God more than people.

If you were to ask me if I care more about what God thinks of me than what people think of me, I’d flippantly answer, “Of course!” In truth, though, I struggle to tolerate a false accusation—even something insignificant. I admit I’m bothered when someone has a wrong impression of me.

Why can’t I shrug these things off?  Paul’s words to the Ephesians give us a clue to the answer to this question:

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant (Galatians 1:10 NLT).

Perhaps I’m worried too much about my reputation with people. Pleasing God should take first place, but isn’t it true that we often put too much stock in what others think of us? That’s why we sometimes chew on false accusations like a cow chewing all day on its cud. We refuse to sit still under a negative or wrong view held by even one person against us.

A simple yearning for truth and justice may be another reason we find it difficult to tolerate a false accusation. Jesus, too, longed for His accusers to recognize the truth about Him, but He trusted God the Father to bring justice at the right time (Matthew 23:37). I’m so thankful that our patient God holds off His justice for a time so all who will come to Him may receive mercy and grace.

2. Trust God for your defense.

In the court where Jesus was brought to trial, many people paraded by the judges to swear in false testimony about Jesus. None of it could be corroborated. In fact, Pilate easily saw through the thin fabric of lies the religious leaders had woven to cover Jesus in guilt. Pilate practically begged the mob outside his courtyard to show mercy to Jesus (John 18:38-39).

A good defense lawyer would have been all over the weakness of the case to get his client off. Strangely, though, Jesus pleaded absolutely no defense for Himself. Could you or I have kept quiet in the onslaught of those lies?

Don’t words of denial usually leap to our lips even before an accusation is fully formed?

As a human, Jesus depended on God the Father for everything, including vindication at just the right time. The time would come, but not until after Jesus had suffered and died.

We also may be called by God to wait for vindication. We may even be waiting until heaven to have our name cleared. Note that right after His trial, Jesus carried His cross to Calvary, where He suffered and died with a cloud of injustice hanging over Him.

We are invited by Jesus to take up our own cross and follow Him.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24 NLT).

Perhaps you’re thinking this is just too hard. It’s not normal to not put up your own defense. I’m not saying there’s never a time to advocate for yourself when you’re falsely accused. But when we trust God for our defense, we follow the leading of His Holy Spirit who wisely guides both words and silence.

3. Accept judgment of earthly authorities.

“Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?” Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin” (John 19:10-11 NLT).

Jesus’ response to Pilate should be our response to any earthly authority. We may not always understand how our circumstances fit into the whole of God’s master plan, but we can believe that He’s in charge.

As you focus on the goodness of your heavenly Father, does it become easier to tolerate false accusations? Ask God to help you perceive how you can glorify Him even as you may be suffering through a fallible earthly system of justice.

4. Remember that compassion and humility can produce victory from apparent defeat.

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34a NLT).

Even as Jesus’ life drained, He thought of the welfare of others. Not just the ones, like His own mother, with whom He had developed personal relationships. No, He thought of the jeering mob. He cared for the soldiers gambling for His robe in the shadow of the cross. Of His disciples who had scattered. And of you and me, and all other sinners from the beginning of time. Jesus prayed, asking His Father to forgive all of us for our sinful part in the false accusations that convicted and executed Him.

Furthermore, even after Jesus rose from the dead, He didn’t rub His victory in anyone’s face. Instead, Jesus appeared to His disciples and others, gently restoring them to right relationship after they had betrayed Him, deserting in His time of need. Then He went a step further and gave them, and us, a holy purpose for living.

False Accusations–Destroyer of Peace

Friends, I know from experience how easily false accusations wreak havoc on our peace. Caught in a maelstrom of lies, my mind never rests. I’ve repeated both the charges and my defense not only inside my head but also to others, seeking vindication. Seeking satisfaction.

But I never find satisfaction in these tactics.

Jesus showed us how to endure false accusations as we wait for the truth to come out.

His way is best because Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6).

What injustice are you presently suffering? What peace might flood your heart if you learn how to endure false accusations according to Jesus’ example?

Join the conversation:

What Bible verses have comforted you as you faced false accusations?

I welcome your comments!